Diego Simeone has blocked Alvaro Morata’s proposed move to Barcelona, 90min understands.

The forward – currently on loan at Juventus – was the subject of interest from Barça throughout the January transfer window, but despite Atletico Madrid being willing to allow Morata to move to Camp Nou, the transfer has not materialised.

That is because of Simeone. 90min has been told that the Atleti manager stepped in to prevent Morata from joining their La Liga rivals this January, be it on loan or on a permanent deal.

As reported at the end of last week, La Blaugrana were confident of getting a deal over the line before Monday’s deadline. Xavi is said to be a fan of the forward and was keen to bring him to the club.

Now with the transfer being blocked by Simeone, Barça have moved to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 90min understand that the club are long-term admirers of Aubameyang, but he was very much a ‚back-up plan‘ in case the Morata move fell through.

The former Arsenal captain has landed in Spain this morning in order to complete a medical ahead of his loan move. Aubameyang will have had to take a pay-cut and Arsenal would also have had to subsidise his wages to make the transfer possible.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Morata, but The Times have reported that they were unable to secure a deal after talks with the player.

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